CAPE TOWN - South Africa’s citrus industry is taking a major hit after floods damaged orchards in the Eastern and Western Cape.
This comes just months after the country became the world’s top citrus exporter by overtaking Spain.
The worst damage is in the Gamtoos Valley, where flooded farms and uprooted trees are threatening this year’s harvest.
Early estimates suggest up to 12 percent of the local crop could be affected.
Growers said the floods arrived just as the soft citrus and mandarin harvest was ramping up, threatening exports and farmer income.
At the same time, conflict in the Middle East is driving up shipping costs and disrupting exports to one of South Africa’s biggest citrus markets.
Industry leaders say the full financial impact is still being assessed.